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Circle hooks are what I've been using for quite a few years, both fresh and salt.
Sure, you have to get used to not "setting" the hook but letting the fish set it for you, but unless the fish is utterly starving and inhales your bait and swallows in one motion you will generally have corner hook-ups.
The use of "offset" circle hooks tends to negate the "circle hook" effectiveness and create hookup similar to J-hooks, mainly gut hooked fish.
I had tried (briefly) using offset circles and ended up throwing them away because of the common gut hooking results.
Of course I am more of a lure angler now, but when I do go the bait route I grab the in-line circles.
As for the circles burying into the bait, you have to remember that unless you are live lining an ell, mack or pogie your bait is going to move in the current. I mean it will spin, twirl, flutter and flap.
That action can result in a buried hook point, which will either result in a missed fish or a gut hook.
I do agree with tying directly to the hook....NO snaps or swivels!!!
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